MUNSTER are back in action this weekend in the Magners League. The Red Army are away in the Firhill Arena, Glasgow to take on the Warriors. Munster are currently sitting atop the Magners League table with 40 points from their first 12 games, while Glasgow are eight with 26 points from their opening 12 games.
Munster team manager Shaun Payne spoke to Postsport this week ahead of what he considers a really tough fixture. “I don’t know what it is, but Glasgow always seems to have our number. They always seem to raise their game to play Munster. Even looking at their squad named this week, they seem to have left only two of their internationals out. That shows that they are really up for this Friday night and with lads like the Evans’ brothers in their side they are more than worthy opponents”
With Munster flying high in the league, credit is due to Shaun and Tony Mc Gahan for mixing the squad from week to week to get the most out of each fixture. A task that Shaun claims is not as easy as it has looked. “We obviously miss our international guys and the feats they have achieved have been just spectacular, however, we have a big squad with 30 plus players all looking for game time. This season was different because we all had a full pre season together and we were able to get into Magners league week one on a roll of form from our US tour. That doesn’t happen every year, but it was a help this time. Then when the internationals head away into camp, it is up the rest of the lads to put their hands up and look for spots on the team. Tony has always put a focus on skills and when you can work with people every day they can improve. There is a lot of accuracy work done with the lads and that all pays off at the end”.
With Grand Slam champions to return and the team going into the quarter finals, Shaun was happy to admit that things are going well, however, that, as the South African native declared is the time to work harder. “These lads know that all that has come their way is from hard work and that is the only way it will continue. Starting with Friday night and going on for the rest of Munster’s season. Hard work is the key”
With the game on Friday night now fast approaching, there are some injury worries for Munster. Rua Tipoki, Ian Dowling, Frankie Sheahen and Barry Murphy are all expected to be out. However, decisions have not yet been made on how many, if any, of the Irish contingent will return. The game this Friday night is live on Setanta sports and kicks off at 19.45. Here are some stats ahead of the game. The Glasgow side have lost their last three matches in the Magners League since their 25-20 victory over Scottish rivals Edinburgh at Firhill Arena on January 2. Glasgow are unbeaten at Firhill against all Irish opponents since Leinster won there 21-18 on May 7 2006. Munster, who are riding high at the top of the Magners League table, have won their last five games in all competitions since their 11-37 defeat at home at the hands of Ulster on January 3. Munster’s only loss to a Scottish side in their last 10 meetings since October 2006 was 18-21 to Glasgow at Cork on May 10 2008, this was the Irishmen’s one loss in their last four encounters with Glasgow.
Munster XV: Denis Hurley; Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi, Barry Murphy; Paul Warwick, Peter Stringer; Federico Pucciariello, Denis Fogarty, Tony Buckley; Mick O’Driscoll capt, Donnacha Ryan; Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan.
Replacements: Michael Essex, Darragh Hurley, Billy Holland, Tommy O’Donnell, Tomas O’Leary, Jeremy Manning, Kieran Lewis.
